Tag: TIF districts
-
KenMar Shopping Center, Funded by Righteousness
Can the Lord’s work be funded by taxation? If you’re Reverend Kevass Harding, the answer is sure, why not? He might even think it’s his calling. Never mind that at its fundamental level, taxation takes money from one person against their will and gives it to another.
-
Proposition K and TIF Districts Collide
A recent story in the Wichita Eagle by Dion Lefler (Tax plan could leave city with TIF debt) illustrates the some of the problems that can happen with complex economic development efforts. The problem in this case lies in the interaction of Proposition K, an effort to reform property tax appraisals in Kansas, and tax…
-
In Wichita, let’s have economic development for all
There’s probably little doubt that offering incentives to companies to move to Wichita results in some that do. And, as we’ve seen, some Wichita companies are adept at inciting rumors they might move or locate new facilities somewhere else in order to gain some advantage or incentive from local or state (or sometimes both) government.
-
Wichita Center City TIF Missed Linkage Between “Unrelated” Developers
A missed linkage between developers involved in a Wichita tax increment financing (TIF) project means progress should be stopped until all facts are known. In July, 2007, the City of Wichita considered a development plan (the Center City South Redevelopment District) for a tax increment financing (TIF) district in downtown Wichita. The beneficiary of the…
-
Wichita Center City South TIF Changes Slip Through
At the December 16, 2008 meeting of the Wichita City Council, a major revision to the development plan of a downtown Wichita TIF district was made. This TIF district is a project of Real Development, whose principals Michael Elzufon and David Lundberg are commonly known as the “Minnesota Guys.” The changes to this plan were…
-
Prudence Requires Postponement of Wichita TIF District: The Video
Bob Weeks recommends postponing approval of a Wichita TIF district until new procedures are put in place. Plus, a question about future mill levies, with a response from council member Sharon Fearey. The remarks in printed form are at this link: Prudence Requires Postponement of Wichita TIF District.
-
Prudence Requires Postponement of Wichita TIF District
Remarks to be delivered to the Wichita City Council on January 6, 2009. Mr. Mayor, members of the council: Last month it was discovered that procedures used to investigate the background of potential city business partners were lacking in some respects. It is now recognized that the process that were in place failed to give…
-
Wichita city hall: more evidence of lax procedures
Wichita Eagle reporting from yesterday (Past client: Developer admitted embezzling) provides more evidence of the need for improved procedures and greater accountability at Wichita city hall. In this story, investigative journalist Dion Lefler reports that Grant Gaudreau admitted stealing money from a business partner. This comes to light just after the City of Wichita nearly…
-
Tax increment financing (TIF Districts) in Wichita, explained
Last week I spoke to the Wichita Pachyderm Club about tax increment financing, or TIF districts, in Wichita. John Todd spoke about the same topic, too. Surprisingly, my remarks contained some different material from the talk given to the same group by Allen Bell, Wichita’s director of urban development.